This is a report prepared pursuant to enactment clause 4 of Senate Bill 565, 2022 Session, which directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to convene a workgroup of stakeholders to determine the feasibility of setting a statewide methane reduction goal and plan to achieve the same. The primary focus of the workgroup was on natural gas transmission and infrastructure; however, other significant sectors are examined as well.

Methane (CH4) is an extremely potent greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide (CO2), and the second most abundant human-generated greenhouse gas after CO2. Although methane remains in the atmosphere for a shorter period of time and is emitted in smaller quantities than CO2, its global warming potential (ability to trap heat in the atmosphere) is 28-34 times greater. Methane is emitted through the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil, as well as from the decay of organic matter in landfills, the agriculture industry (including manure storage and treatment), and municipal wastewater treatment systems. Controlling methane from these sources can help to mitigate climate change while improving energy security, economic growth, air quality, and worker safety.

There are many economically viable opportunities to reduce methane emissions, and Virginia has made sweeping strides in this effort – reducing methane emissions by nearly 14% from 2010 – 2019, the latest data available. Continued progress requires identifying the optimal reduction solutions that address Virginia's unique circumstances.

A broad overview of Virginia's sources of methane is provided in Figure 1. The data are derived from DEQ's greenhouse gas inventory and the most current year available is 2019.